About us

Responsible Arctic sailing

Boreal Yachting is certified through the Eco-Lighthouse (Miljøfyrtårn) programme and is a member of AECO. Sailing is not an emission-free way to travel, and we do not claim it is. This page separates two things: what we are certified for, and what we do in practice.

Last updated 11 September 2026

What does Eco-Lighthouse certify?

Eco-Lighthouse certifies Boreal Yachting's environmental management system against defined criteria, verified by an independent, approved certifier under Norway's national environmental certification scheme, recognised by the Norwegian authorities. It covers working environment, waste handling and sorting, energy use, procurement, transport and emissions, and requires an annual climate and environmental report with improvement targets. Recertification takes place on a fixed cycle.

Certification means our environmental management system has been assessed and approved. It does not certify a carbon footprint, and it does not make a voyage climate neutral.

AECO membership is an operational commitment rather than an environmental certification. It binds us to the association's guidelines for wildlife, landing sites, cultural heritage and community conduct in the Arctic. Read how those guidelines work in practice.

How does Boreal Yachting manage wildlife distance and disturbance?

We follow AECO wildlife guidelines and, in Svalbard, the requirements set by Sysselmesteren, the Governor of Svalbard. These set minimum distances for approaching animals, which differ by species and by season, and are stricter around breeding birds, walrus haul-outs, denning areas and polar bears.

The practice on board is straightforward. We approach slowly and at an angle rather than head on, we hold position rather than closing in, and the animal decides how long the encounter lasts. If behaviour changes — an animal stops feeding, becomes alert, or moves away — we withdraw. We do not chase whales, we do not manoeuvre to cut off an animal's route, and we do not land where wildlife would be displaced by our presence.

Guests are briefed on this before the first landing, including where to walk, how to behave near birds, and why a planned landing is sometimes cancelled.

How does Boreal Yachting handle waste, fuel and sailing over motoring?

Waste is sorted on board and landed ashore for handling under the Eco-Lighthouse waste routines. Nothing is discharged in protected areas, and in Svalbard nothing is left ashore. We reduce single-use packaging in provisioning where a practical alternative exists, and refill rather than issue bottled water.

These are sailing yachts, and we sail them when wind and schedule allow. Sailing rather than motoring reduces fuel use, and it is also the better experience. It is not always possible. Fixed pick-up times, long crossings against the wind, calm conditions and safety margins all mean the engine is used, and a Svalbard voyage covers distances that require it. We report fuel consumption annually as part of Eco-Lighthouse reporting.

We do not sell carbon offsetting alongside a voyage and we do not describe our trips as carbon neutral, because we cannot substantiate that claim.

How does Boreal Yachting support local employment and supply?

Boreal Yachting is based in Tromsø with a second base in Harstad. Crew are employed by us, most return season after season, and a large share live in Northern Norway. Boat maintenance is carried out by our own technical team and by yards and suppliers in the region.

Provisioning is done locally where the supply exists, which in Northern Norway means fish, and it means shopping in the towns we sail from rather than shipping food north. When we visit small communities we spend money there, and we keep group sizes small enough that a visit is welcome rather than an event.